Oakland Schools Win Big -- 81% Vote for Parcel Tax

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, November 7, 1996

Oakland residents voted by an overwhelming majority to spend more money on children, sending a strong message that they want to fix the city's failing public schools.

They also signaled they want change by electing a college student, Jason Hodge, to represent East Oakland's District Seven on the school board. Political novice Hodge carried 60.5 percent of the vote compared with 39.4 percent for Diane Raulston, the candidate picked by veteran school board member Sylvester Hodges as his successor for that seat.

Eighty-one percent of the voters supported Measure B -- the $75-a-year parcel tax dedicated to the schools -- far surpassing the two-thirds majority needed. That support came despite a year that saw the schools virtually shut down for a month during the longest teacher strike in Oakland history -- and in the face of a number of competing Alameda County tax increases.

"Our community wants our schools to be successful and they are willing to put their money where their mouths are," said Oakland Schools Superintendent Carolyn Getridge. "Now it is up to us to demonstrate that we can do it."

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At least half of the approximately $7.5 million a year generated by the new tax, which will first be available in January 1998, is expected to be spent on continuing the district's efforts to shrink class sizes in kindergarten through third grade. Oakland already cut first-grade classes to 20 students this fall.

A committee will decide exactly how much of the money will be spent on smaller classes versus other uses outlined in the ballot: after- school programs, vocational education, technology and science and books and supplies.

Phones were already ringing yesterday morning about who would be appointed to the important committee, which the school board must pick within three months.

"I am committed to making sure it is broad-based," said school board member Robert Spencer, one of the key supporters of Measure B.